Automatic billing machine for dispensing liquid



Jan. 16, 1951 c. s. HAZARD ETAL 2,533,243

AUTOMATIC BILLING MACHINE FOR DISPENSING LIQUID Filed March 21, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet l 16 0mm 5 4; m n-21mm 12 Q) 0 Q) o a 1:]

0 Q) o 10/ 3 mm 7 mm INVENTORS (harks S. lfazard By 10/015011 Ila mum l7 TTOR/VE Y Jan. 16, 1951 c. s. HAZARD El'AL 2,533,243

AUTOMATIC BILLING MACHINE FOR DISPENSING LIQUID 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fild March 21, 1945 u w. d f .R mmwwm a m 7 wk w rM wk v Jan. 16, 1951 Filed March 21,

c. s. HAZARD ET AL 2,538,243 AUTOMATIC BILLING MACHINE FDR DISPENSING LIQUID 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORJ 'ltarles S. llazard By Johnson Jla' man Patented Jan. 16, 1951 AUTOMATIC BILLING MACHINE FOR DISPENSING LIQUID Charles S. Hazard, Andover, N. J., and Johnson Shipman, Flushing, N. Y., assignors to Neptune Meter Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application March 21, 1945, Serial No. 583,916

16 Claims. 1

This invention relates to dispensing apparatus and more particularly to means for automatically recording and billingamounts dispensed at a plurality of loading stations.

One of the objects of this invention is. to provide one or more registers or billing machines, which may if desired be located at a central point, operable selectively to control and register the dispensing of material carried on at a plurality of loading stations.

Another object of this invention is to provide a billing machine which may be selectively connected to any one of a plurality of measuring devices, and when it is so connected it operates automatically to reset itself, and when the measuring step of a dispensing operation is completed, it operates automatically to stop delivery and issue a ticket with the amount of the delivery indicated thereon.

Another object of this invention is to provide a dispensing apparatus having one or more registers or billing machines selectively connectible to any one of a plurality of measuring devices and provided with means to prevent the simultaneous connection of more than one measuring device to a given register and to prevent the simultaneous connection of a given measuring device to more than one register.

Another object of this invention is to provide a control for measuring devices, selectively connectible to one or more registers, so that delivery of the dispensed material only in full unit measurements and recording thereof on the selected register are assured regardless of when, during the interval of measuringa unit measurement, discontinuance of delivery-is initiated.

each of which is selectively connectible to any one of a plurality of measuring devices which may be remotely located with respect to such central point or with respect to any one or all of said machines however located. Each billing machine comprises a presettable auto-stop register and recording and registering devices. For recording a printing mechanism, operable at the end of a predetermined operation to issue a ticket with the amount dispensed indicated thereon,

may be used. If desired, the machine may include a visual register to indicate the amounts being delivered. For automatic operation a motor may be provided to reset the printing elements and return the visual register to zero from a previous recording and registering operation.

For remote control the billing machine may have a power drive adapted to be controlled by the measuring device to which the machine is connected. t

The selective feature of the invention comprises the provision of a plurality of manually [actuatable elements or buttons for each billing A further object of this invention is to provide a presettable auto-stop register selectively connectible to any one of a plurality of measuring devices and when so connected to be locked against change in the presetting thereof.

' A still further object of the invention is to provide dispensing and registering apparatus in which an auto-stop control for a measuring device and a printing wheel, also if desired a visual register, driven concomitantly with the auto-stop are selectively operably connectible to any one of a plurality of measuring devices, said auto-stop being effective to control the measurement of the material dispensed and thereafter to initiate printing of the registered amount and release of "the selective setting.

The foregoing and other objects of this inven-' tion are accomplished by providing one or more billing machines which may be at a central point machine. Each button may be provided with a plurality of contacts which, when closed, electrically connect the machine with which the buttons are associated to a measuring device which corresponds to the particular button actuated. The buttons of each machine are provided with interlocking means whereby only one button of a machine can be actuated at a time. Interlocking means are also provided between the corresponding buttons of the billing machines, where more than one machine is connected in the system, so that the same measuring device cannot be connected to more than one billing machine at a time. When a selected button is pressed it efiects preparatory conditioning of the billing machine, that is to say, among other actions it sets certain parts in motion to reset the register and printing elements of the machine to zero. It also sets certain parts to condition the apparatus for the measuring operation.

Any suitable measuring device may be used in the system depending upon the nature and form of the material that is to be dispensed or otherwise measured and handled. The invention will be described in connection with material to be handled which is in fluid form. In such case each measuring device may comprise a suitable fluid meter and one or more delivery controlling elements, such as valves. Two or more valves may be used in parallel in order to secure reduced flow by operation of one prior to the final cutofl operation of the other. A cam or other suitable driven element is connected to the meter shaft to actuate means, preferably contacts in an electric circuit, for unit driving operation of the registering parts of the machine.

As described in our copending application Serial No. 448,644, filed June 26, 1942, of which this application is a continuation in part the metering apparatus may be provided with a unit measurement synchronizing control whereby full unit measurements are assured regardless of when, during a current unit measurement, discontinuance of delivery is initiated and regardless of whether accomplished manually or automatically by the machine. This feature may include a synchronizing circuit connected in parallel with a main control circuit, the synchronizin: circuit being deenergized momentarily at the end of each unit or other given cyclic operation of the meter during the period while the main circuit is under control of the auto-stop portion of the machine. A manually controlled valve may also be provided in the main circuit so that the driver of the vehicle receiving the commodity dispensed or an attendant may initiate discontinuance of delivery.

As disclosed in said application Serial No. 448,- 644, the registers may be operated in intermittent step by step manner during integrating operation thereof under control of the measuring device. A time differential is provided between actuation of the registers of the machine, on the one hand, and the cyclic deenergization of the synchronizing circuit on the other hand. This relationship enables the machine, when a predetermined amount has been registered thereon, to initiate discontinuance of the delivery prior to the completion by the meter of measurement of the last unit of measurement. The cyclic deenergization of the synchronizing circuit lags behind the machine registration so that, when the machine deenergizes the main control circuit to the fluid control valve, the valve will not close immediately but will remain open until the synchronizing circuit is deenergized by the meter at the completion of unit measurement.

This synchronizing unit measurement of the material dispensed, whereby cut-off can only be effected at the completion of measurement of a full unit, is important for accurate recording and delivery. This feature of full unit measurement 1 secured by control of the delivery by both the meter and the registering devices of the machine above referred to may be combined in the present invention with the selective and interlocking features which are the principal subject thereof. 7

For a. better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a diagrammatical illustration of a dispensing system according to this invention;

Figs. 2 and 3 are schematic views which when combined show the essential elements of a billing machine coupled with a dispensing station together with a part of the selecting mechanism of a second billing machine, with indication of the interlocking controls between a plurality of such machines;

Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the upper control switch shown in Fig. 2 and illustrating a position of the parts thereof prior to the initiation of a dispensing operation;

Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the upper and lower control switches of Fig. 2 indicatingthe positioning of the parts thereof after a dispensing operation has been initiated, which positioning is maintained during the measuring operation; and

Fig. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the lower control switch of Figs. 2 and 5, showing the parts thereof and parts actuated by the auto-stop register in the positions to which they are moved at the end of a predetermined registration in the dispensing operation.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, two billing machines A and B are shown associated with four dispensing or loading stations #I, #2, #3 and #4 of the type employed in dis-' tributing gasoline and other liquid petroleum products. Each billing machine is provided with an auto-stop register ill, a visual register II, a series of printing wheels l4 and associated printing and controlling mechanisms. Selecting apparatus is also provided for each machine and includes a set of buttons 15, one for each of the dispensing or loading stations of the system.

As shown in Fig. 1, each billing machine of the system therein illustrated has four buttons,

together with lamps i6 suitably numbered or colored to represent the particular loading station with which the button adjacent thereto is associated. When one of the buttons is pressed, the adjacent lamp is illuminated by the connection thereby established to the corresponding station and remains illuminated until the registration of the measured quantity is completed.

As described more fully hereinafter, the actuation of one of the buttons IE will connect the billing machine thereof through electric circuits contained in the cable iii to the loading station which corresponds to the button pressed. For example, should button #I be pressed on machine A, the machine A will'be connected to the loading station #I and the liquid or other material dispensed at station #I will be registered for recording and billing purposes on the machine A and only on this machine. To accomplish this control, when one or the buttons, such as the button #i, has been pressed on machine A, locking means hereinafter described interlock the buttons of said machine A and prevent other buttons on machine A from being pressed. Interlocking circuits indicated by the cable l9 also are provided between the several billing machines of the system so that when a button has been pressed on one machine, the pressing of the corresponding button on another billing machine of the system will be ineffective to connect said other machine to the selected loading station. Thus, only one billing machine can be connected to a given loading station at one time and after said loading station has been connected to said machine no other loading station can be connected to said billing machine at that time. Any billing machine, however, which is not already connected to a loading station may be connected to any other station which is not connected to a billing machine.

Referring now to Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings, the driving and controlling relationship between the auto-stop register III of a billing machine and measuring device 38 at a loading station will be described.

The auto-stop register In which is shown in some detail in Fig. 2 comprises a series of number wheels in which the units wheel 20 has associated therewith a cam 2|, the tens wheel has a cam 22, the hundreds wheel has a cam 23 and the thousands wheel has a cam 24. It will be under- :stbod, of course, that any suitable transfer mechant the amount desired for a dispensing opera- Y tion.

When the auto-stop register is preset to a desired number, the cams 2|, and, if the amount to be dispensed is large enough, also cams 22, 23

and 24, as the case may be, will be moved so as to dislodge from the recesses 21 thereof the followers 3|, 32, 33 and 34. In the zero position of the auto-stop register all of the followers are received in the recesses 21 of the cams. In Fig. 2 the auto-stop register is shown preset with the units wheel displaying the number and with the higher order wheels still at zero positions. If the higher order wheels were not at zero, however, the follower 3| would be prevented from entering the recess'2l of the units wheel until after the followers 32, 33 and 34 mounted on the rack 54 pivoted on shaft 53 have entered the respective recesses of the cams 22, 23 and 24. This restriction upon the follower 3| is accomplished by an extension bar 43 of the rack 54 which overlies the arm I16 which supports the follower 3|.

The loading station may comprise any suitable source of supply, such as a'pipe 36, as in the case of a, liquid dispensing system, and a suitable measuring device, such as a meter 38. As shown in Fig. 3, delivery pipe 39 is connected to the discharge side of the meter 38 and is provided with a main valve 40 and a by-pass connectibn 44 having an auxiliary valve 42.

While two.- valves are shown in the present illustration, It will be understood that one valve only of suitable construction may be used. The purpose of the two valves in the system illustrated is to reduce the flow of liquid near the end of a predetermined dispensing operation and then to cut oif the reduced flow at precisely the end of the last unit of measurement.

This control of the valves 48 and 42 is performed by means of electrical circuits the completion of which is under control of the followers 3|, 32, 33 and 34 and the associated mechanism operated by the auto-stop register Hi, this control, however, being dominated at the close of the auto-stop register controlled contacts 2m to a The 0ppo-- source of power provided by lead 50. site side of the electromagnetic coil 45 is connected to ground at 52.

The coil 46 is similarly connected to the source of power 50 through the manually operated switch 51 in series with switch 2 operated from the the switches ii and n so that when it is desired to start delivery of the liquid both of the valves 40 and 42 will be put into operative condition to be opened simultaneously when the setting of the register I calls for actuation of both valves. In the particular setting of the register l8 illustrated in Fig. 2. actuation only of the valve 42 will take place upon movement of the units cam 2| from the zero position.

When the cams 22, 23 and 24 of the number 3 wheels of order higher than the units wheel 28,

if such higher order wheels also have been preset, have been returned to zero in response to a dispensing operation, the followers 32. 33 and 34 will move into the recesses of the respective cams 22, 23 and 24 and cause the follower rack 54 to rotate clockwise about the shaft or pivot 53, whereby the arm 55 opens the contacts 2 l8.

Even though the manually actuated switches 41 and 51 are held closed either manually or by any suitable latch, the opening of the contacts 2|0 will deenergize the coil to close the main valve 48. This will reduce the flow through the meter 38, the flow thereafter being under the control of the auxiliary valve 42. When the units wheel 28 reaches zero, the follower 3| will move ever, is controlled by the synchronizing circuit 8| v which, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, connects the solenoid coil 46 through the contacts 85 to the lead which provide the source of power. The

operation of this synchronizing circuit 6| will be hereafter described.

As transmission of the driving relation between the meter 38 and the auto-stop register I0 is electrical in the embodiment of the invention being described, the auto-stopregister may be located at a central ofllce or at any desired location remote from the meter. This remote location of the meter and the register control illustrated in general diagrammatic arrangement in 4 Fig. 1 may be utilized while embodying in the construction the features of selective connection between any one of a number of meters located at different loading stations, on the one hand, and the machine or machines, on the other hand. which are located at the central offices or at other locations as hereinabove referred to.

The meter 38v drives through suitable gearing 68 a shaft 62 which carries a. cam 54a. Associated with the cam are two sets of contacts 235 'and 335 in the embodiment of Fig. 3. The set 235 serves the billing machine A and the register and other parts associated therewith and actuated thereby. The set 335 serves billing machine 13 and the register and other parts associated therewith. Both sets, however, are operated by the same meter 38. The set 235 may be taken for description, one of which contacts 235 is connected by wires 234 and 22| and through auto register switch 2 to the source of electric current 50. The other of these contacts 235 is connected by wire 236 to the winding 65 of a time delay relay 61. tact 68 which is normally closed with a stationary contact 63, the movable contact 68 also being connected to the wire 233. The fixed contact 88 The relay 61 has a movable conis connected by wire I3 to a winding I6 of a relay II adapted to operate a known type of clutch I2, which controls the drive between the motor I4 and the shaft I5. A suitable driving connection, which includes gears 6|, 92 and worm 63, may be provided from the shaft 15 to a worm gear 61- carried by a sleeve I6 to transmit driving movement from the shaft I5 to the. units wheel 26 of the register. The motor I4 operates continuously after the system is connected for operation by pressing of the button #I, the motor 14 being connected through auto-stop actuated switch 2| I to the source of electric current '56 by wires 233 and HI and also to the ground at 66.

If desired, a totalizer 62, as shown in Fig. 3, may be geared to the meter drive so that the person receiving the liquid delivered during a dispensing operation can observe at the loading station the amount dispensed.

The remote drive from the meter 36 to the auto-stop register I6 is accomplished by the closing of the contact 235 by the cam 64a once for each unit of measurement by the meter 38. This unit measurement may be of any desired quantity, such as a gallon or other suitable amount. As will be hereafter traced, when the contacts 235 are closed current is fed from the source 56 through switch 2I I and the contacts set by pressing button #I and through the coil 66 to ground. Simultaneously, current is fed through the contacts 66, 66 to the coil I6 of the relay II. The time delay characteristics of the relay 61 are such as to permit passage of current through the contacts 66, 66 for a time interval sufficient only to actuate the clutch controlled relay II to effect transmission through the clutch 12 of a driving movement from the motor I4 to the units wheel 26 to advance the unit wheel only one unit indication. The time delay relay 61, therefore, opens the contacts 66, 66 after the required time interval to open the circuit to relay 'II and thereby insures the transmission of unit measurements even though the cam 64a should come to rest in a position closing the contact 235.

The registering movement of theauto-stop register thus is responsive generally to the meter operation to control the actuation of the valves 46 and 42 to discontinue delivery at the approach of the end of a predetermined measuring step of the dispensing operation. In order to insure the precise cutting off of the flow at the end of the last unit of measurement, however, the synchronizing circuit 6| is arranged to control jointly with the register I6 and its unit wheel 26 the closing of the valve 42. As described in our application Ser. No. 448,644, this unit measurement control feature of the synchronizing circuit is accomplished by providing a second cam 64. on the shaft 62 to control a pair of contacts 65. These contacts are connected in the circuit 6| which is connected at one end to the source of current 56 and at the other end to the coil 46 of the valve 42. To enable the synchronizing circuit to dominate the final closing of valve 42 thecams 64a and 64 are disposed upon the shaft 62 with the cam 64a ahead of the cam 84 in the direction of rotation, so that the cam 64a is adapted to close the contacts 235 prior to the opening by the cam 64 of the normally closed contacts 65. Thus completion of the registering by the registers I6, I2 and I4 of each unit of measurement and of the last such unit will be effected prior to the completion of the actual measurement by V the meter of the units and said last unit.

termined quantity is registered on the units wheel 26, the main valve 46 being previously closed by opening of contacts 2 I6, the follower-3i will move into the recess 21 of the cam 2 I, thereby opening the contacts 2 to deenergize the circuit leading to the coil 46 of the valve 42 prior to the actual completion of the measurement of the last unit. The coil 46, however, does not become deenergized by the openingot'the contacts 2 but is maintained energized by the normally closed contacts 65 until the meter has completed the unit measurement and brought the lobe 61 of the cam 64 into engagement with one of the contacts 85 and breaks the circuit. The opening of these contacts 65 deenergizes the coil 46 and closes the valve 42 exactly at the completion of the last unit of measurement, thus stopping the meter 36 and stopping the cam 64 in position to hold the contacts 65 apart to maintain the valve 42 in closed position.

The description thus far given is intended to explain the general arrangement and operation of the system in its preferred form in which the selective and interlocking devices about to be described are included.

Referring now to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the autostop register and dispensing unit of the system, which have been described above broadly, preferably form parts of the system which includes the apparatus and devices for interconnection of metering stations with billing machines and office registers for registering and recording quantities dispensed at different metering stations and for selectively registering and recording such quantities on different billing and registering machines.

In Fig. 2 the auto-stop register shaft 26 is shown provided with an electrical locking means I66 which, when energized, is adapted to lock the shaft 26 so that the setting of the numeral wheels of register III by operation of handle 26 cannot be changed once the lock I66 is energized. The lock I66 may comprise any suitable electromagnetic locking arrangements.

The visual register I2 is provided so that the amount which has been dispensed during a dispensing operation can be readily determined. The printing wheels I4 are driven in any suitable manner in unison with the corresponding wheels of the visual register I2. For purposes of illustration the drive to the visual register I2 and the printing wheels I4 is shown transmitted from worm gears MI and I62 through suitable friction clutches I63 and I64 to the units wheels driving sleeves I65 and I66 respectively.

The printing mechanism of the billing machine inciudes in addition to the printing wheels I4, a printing hammer H6 and paper guiding frames I I2 disposed between the hammer and the printing wheels Suitable means are provided to support a roll of paper I I5 which is fed between rolls H6 and H8 to the frames II2.

The operation of the printing hammer I I6, the resetting of the printing wheels, as well as of the usual register, and the feeding of the paper II5 are effected by a motor I26. The motor I26 has a drive shaft I2I rotated in the direction of the arrow which carries a mutilated gear I22, the teeth of which are adapted to mesh in successive order with a pair of gears I25 and I24. The gear I25 is fastened on shaft I61 and the gear I24 is carried by a shaft I26 having a cam I26. The hammer H6 is provided with an arm I36 having a roller I32 engageable by the cam I26 to raise the hammer I I6 to cocked position anaemia 9 and to release it at a proper time in the operation of the machine to effect the printing of a ticket.

The shaft I26 is also provided with a mutilated gear I64 which is adapted to drive a gear I66 to rotate the paper feeding roll I I6 during the cocking movement of the hammer. The operative relationship of the printing mechanism will be described hereinafter in connection with the operation of the billing machine. I

The gear I25, which is driven by one part of the rotation of the gear I22, driving through shaft I01 and sleeve I05 thereon and through known wheel pick-up means, is adapted to reset to zero the number wheel of the visual register I2. The number wheels of theset of the register I2, and also the printing wheels of the ,set I4, are suitably connected in each set for counting operation by known transfer mechanism described in connection with the auto-stop register I0.

The printing wheels I4 are reset by the motor I20 from the shaft I01 through a gear I40, a pinion I H and a gear I42 carried on a shaft I06 which extends through the sleeve I06 to the wheels I4. As hereinafter described, the resetting of the visual wheels and of the printing wheels by the motor I20 takes place just prior to bringing the machine to condition for initiation of the metering step of a dispensing operation. When said metering step is completed, another driving movement of the motor I20 effects the tripping of the printing hammer, to record the amount dispensed, and a subsequent feeding of the paper II5 to leave the devices ready for a subsequent operation.

The control of the operation of the billing machine is normally dependent upon the operation of a contact switch I50, illustrated in various positions in Figs. 2, 4 and 5, associated with a switch actuating arm I52 of the selecting mechanism to be hereinafter described, and upon operation of a second contact switch I60, illustrated in various positions in Figs. 2, 5 and 6. The contact switch I50 comprises two stationary contacts I53 and I54 and a movable contact I55 carried by a resilient leaf or stem I56, which is engageable by two control elements I51 and I56. The control elements extend through opposite walls of the switch box, the element I51 being movable by the actuating arm I52 of the selecting mechanism and the element I 56 being under control of a cam I59 fastened upon shaft I2I of motor I20 to rotate therewith.

The second contact switch I60 comprises a stationary contact I6I and a movable contact I62 carried by lever I62a urged to contact position by spring I61. The element I63 is engageable by a rod I65 suitably mounted in a frame element I66 of the machine and engaged at the other end thereof by a cam I66 carried on the shaft I2I of the motor I20 to rotate therewith. The rod I 65 is provided with a spring I69 which engages the frame I66 to bias the rod against the surface of the cam I66.

Before tracing the wiring connections of the switches I50 and I60, it is believed desirable next to describe the selective mechanism and the connected relationship of the wiring with respect to one of the loading stations. 7 I

In Fig. 3 the selective mechanism for the bill-, ing machine A is shown associated with a part of the selecting mechanism of the billing machine 13 to illustrate the interlocking connection therebetween and to one of the loading stations. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the selecting mechanism tuated position at a time.

10 of the billing machine A comprises four buttons numbered I, 2, l and 4. The button #I comprises an elongated element I60 having a plurality of contacts which are associated with a corresponding number of stationary contacts. The inner ends of the elements I60 of the buttons #I to 4 are adapted to engage an actuating member I62 which is fastened upon a stud slidable in frame member I66. The stud of member I62 carries fastened on the other end thereof the actuating arm I52, and as shown in Fig. 2 the arm I52 is adapted to engage the switch element I51. The member I62 is provided with a spring I64 which returns the member and any 50 through wires M2, N6, I92, contacts IBI, I65

and wire I94 to the lock and ground. Whenever the selecting mechanism is actuated by pressing a button the lock I00 is energized and prevents change in the presetting of the register. It is necessary, therefore, in the embodiment of the invention being described, to preset the autostop register by operating handle 26 prior to pressing a button, such as button I, for a selected loading station.

Each button is provided with a roller I66 disposed between two controlling surfaces, the roller I66 of the button #I being shown disposed between the surface of a stationary frame element I 61 and the inclined surface of a sector I pivoted at I9I. A series of such sectors are provided, one adjacent the other, depending upon the number of buttons, the lowermost roller being disposed between one of the sectors and a frame element as in the case of button I. The sectors are restricted in movement by the frame members, so that only one roller I86 is movable to button ac- This arrangement provides an interlock so that the selected billing machine can only be connected to one loading station at a time.

To maintain the button in the inner or actuated position once it is pressed, each element I60 is provided with a shoulder I96 engageable by a pawl I91 which is biased toward out of engagement position by a-spring I96. To lock the button in actuated position, an electro-magnetic coil I99 is disposed adjacent each pawl. The coils are connected in series with motor I20 between line 50 and ground. They may be shorted, however, upon actuation of the button by circuit connections hereinafter described and by operation of switches I50 and I60 above. referred to. The energization of the coil I99 acting upon the armature provided by the extension I 91a of pawl I91, urges the pawl against the pull of spring I98 into locking position with the element I60 and maintains the element locked until the coil is deenergized or shorted.

Since the wiring connections for the several buttons of a given billing machine are the same, the description of the wiring connections of one of the buttons will suffice for the other buttons. Button #I is provided with a series of contacts movable therewith to control the opening and closing of a number of circuits. The contacts are identified in Fig. 3 as 200, 20I, 202, 203, 204, 205 and 206. The corresonpding contacts of #I button of the machine B are identified as 600 through assasss 300 inclusive. The source or power to these contacts is controlled by the two sets of contacts 2" and 2H actuated by the auto-stop register I. as above broadly described and interlocking circuits are provided connecting contacts 2 l and 2i i with the series of contacts on the corresponding buttons, e. g. buttons i of the several billing machines of the system.

The contacts .2i0 associated with the rack ll 0 are closed when the followers 22, 33, 04 thereof are received in the recesses 21 oi the cams 22, 23, 24 associated with the tens, hundreds and thousands numeral wheels. The contacts 2 are actuated by the bell crank arm I'll oi the follower 3i associated with the units wheel '20. The contacts 2" are adapted to be opened when the auto-stop register reaches the point of starting the last 10 units of registration of the predetermined amount for which it has been set. The contacts 2 remain closed during the last ten units of registration and are opened when the units wheel of the register has reached its zero position.

Following the circuit through the contacts 2l0 from the source 01' electric current 30, the current is supplied through wire 2 l2, contacts 2l0, wires 2 and 2|! and normally closed contacts 300 of the corresponding button #I oi! machine B, thence through a wire 30'! to one of the contacts 200. The contact 303 and wire 301 and contacts 200 constitute one portion of the interlocking connection between the corresponding buttons,

of the billing machines. The other of the contacts 200 is connected by a wire 2 It to the manually actuatable switch 41 and thence to the coil 03 of the main valve 40 and to ground at 32.

Thus, in order for the actuated button #i oi machine A to complete a circuit from the source of electricity 30 to the main valve 40 of metering station #I, the corresponding button #I of machine B must be in its outer or inactive position.

The other portion of the interlocking connection may be traced from the control switch I50. The source or current 00 is connected to the movable contact I35 01 the switch I50 through wires 2 and III. Assuming thatthe auto-stop register II has just been preset so that the units wheel 20 is in the numerical position shown in Fig. 2, the contacts 2 will be closed. When a button, such as button #I in Fig. 3, has been pressed, thus closingcontacts I33 and I03 by pressure of element ill the motor 0 is energized to reset the register i2 and the printing wheels I, an operation which is performed quickly and while the button is manually pressed. In this rotation the cam I38 is rotated and the switch I50 will be moved to the position indicated in Fig. 5 by action of the cam I00 relieving pressure upon element I30, the end portion of the stem I30 pivoting upon the end of element I51. The movable contact I55 in this position will be closed with stationary contact I34 and the current from the source 50 hereinbefore traced to the contact I55 now will pass through the contact In and wire 220 to the contacts 2, thence through wires HI and 222 to the contacts 308 of the machine B. Since the contacts 306 are closed when the button #i 01' machine B is in its inactive position, the circuit continues through wire 300 to contacts 20i, 202, 203 and 204.

From the foregoing it will be seen that in order for the contacts 200, MI, 202, 203. and 204 of machine A to complete circuits to #i loading station. the button #i of the machine B must be in ton #i of machine B when pressed to complete circuit to #I loading station, thebutton #i of machine A must be in its inactive position. This interlocking control of the button #i of machine B by button #i of machine A is eilected by the contacts 233 and 200, these being opened by operation of button #i on machine A.

From the wire 2|, which as above described is connected through register operated contacts 2 i0 to the current supply lead 00, a wire 224 connects to one 01 the contacts 203 and the other contact 203 is connected by wire 220 to one of the contacts 300 of the machine B. This interconnection controls the circuit connection of contacts 300 of machine B through wire 3i! to wire H0 and thence to the manual switch 01 in control of the valve 40. It is necessary, therefore, that contacts 203 be closed by button #i of machine A in released position and contacts 300 be closed by button #i of machine B in pressed position for the connection 01' machine B to loading station #I.

From the wire III, which as above described is connected through register operated contacts 2 and switch contacts I" and I53 to the current supp y lead 00. a wire 228 is connected to the contacts 200 which in turn are connected through in 221 to the contacts "I, 302, 303 and 304 of machine B. This completes the interconnection between two corresponding buttons of the two machines, it being necessary that button #i of machine A be in released position and button #i of machine B in pressed position to complete the circuit for operation of machine B.

The wires 2 and "I, though not so shown in Fig. 3, 01 course are connected also to the switch contacts of the auto-stop register of the machine B corresponding to contacts 2 l 0 and 2 of machine A and thence to lead 30 in circuits similar to those above described for machine A. The interconnection such as that described between corresponding buttons #l of the two machines A and B may be utilized for the other corresponding buttons of the two machines, although, for simplicity, the contacts and circuits are not shown in the drawing. Where more than two machines are provided each button or a machine controls the corresponding buttons of all the other machines in the manner described. by extension 01' leads 2 and Hi to connect these gher machines in parallel with those shown in Having traced out the control of contacts 200 and 300 to the main valve 40. the other control 0 contacts of buttons. #l of machines A and B its inactive position. Likewise. in order for butwill now be traced. From contacts 20l a wire I is connected to the manual control switch 51 which controls the coil 00 of the auxiliary valve 42. The corresponding contacts 30I of machine B are likewise connected by a wire "I which is connected to the wire 23i for control 01' the auxiliary valve 02. 0

Contacts 202 are connected by a wire 232 to lamp i0 adjacent #I button and to a lamp 240 associated with the meter 30 so as to indicate at the machine A that station #I is connected thereto and to indicate at the station #i that the billing machine A is connected to said station. The illumination of the lamp 240 also indicates to the driver or operator at the loading station that the auto-stop register has been preset and locked, the visual register and printing wheels have been reset-and the billing machine is now ready for the metering step of the dispensing operation, that is, for delivery. A circuit over wire 332, similar to that connected by a lamp IQB on machine B anda lamp I at the loading station.

Contacts 203 are connected by a wire 233 to the motor I4 of the machine A. The motor, as hereinbefore described, is energized continuous] 7 during a dispensing operation under control of the machine A whether or not clutch I2 is engaged. Likewise, the contacts 303 of the machine B are connected by a circuit 333 to the driving motor (not shown) of the machine B.

Contacts 204 are connected by a wire 234 to contacts 235 under control of a cam 84a. driven by the'meter 38. From the contacts 235 a wire.

235 lead to the time delay relay 81 which controls the operation of the clutch actuating relay II, as above described. A wire 334 similarly leads from the contacts 304 of the machine B through contacts 335 likewise controlled by the operation of the cam 64a to operate the clutch actuating relay (not shown) of the machine B.

Each loading station is provided with a unit synchronizing circuit which is controlled by the meter of that loading station by means of cam 84 which actuates the contacts 85 of the synchronizing circuit as above described. The contact engaging relation of the cams 54a and 84 is such that, prior to the starting of each new unit measurement by the meter 38, the register-controlling cam 54a has closed the contacts 235 to actuate the relays 51 and II and move the auto-stop register one unit. To this end the cam 84 is arranged angularly displaced upon shaft 62 to lag behind the cam 84a and so as to open the synchronizing circuit 5| to open valve 42 substantially at the termination of the last unit measurement but after the auto-stop register I has completed registering the last -unit measurement of a predetermined amount for which it has been set. The cam 54a may have' suflicient length along shaft 52 to provide for a plurality of contacts 235, 335 according to the number of billing tion. Under this setting of the auto-stop register III, it will be noted that the contacts 2I I are closed while the contacts 2I0 remain open. If a larger number, such as 10, 100 or 1,000 gallons were to be dispensed, the register would then be pre set to indicate the appropriate amount and both sets of contacts 2! and 2H would be in closed position since both sets of followers would then be in their outer positions. The initial actuation of the button actuated member I82 closes contacts I8I, I85 to lock the auto-stop register setting as previously described.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the actuating arm I52 has responded to the pressing of button #I to move the element II against the stem I55. Since, upon completion of the previous dispensing operation and before reset of visual register I2 and printing wheels I4, the element I58 is also urged against the stem I55, the stem is distorted upon pressing button #I, by being pressed against element I51 so that contact I55 is moved 14 out of engagement with stationarycontact I54 (Fig. 4) and into engagement with contact I53 (Fig. 2). In this position of the switch I50, a circuit is completed to the motor I20 from the source of power through wires 2I2 and 2I8, contacts I55, I53 and wire 245 to the motor I20 and thence to ground at 245. The motor I20 is energized and rotates the cam I58 in the direction of the arrow until it moves to the position shown in Fig. 5 whereupon the element I58 is released and the stem I55 permitted to straighten thereby disengaging contact I53 and reengaging contact I54. The surface of the cam I58 is shaped to maintain the contact I55 in engage-' ment with contact I53 for a length of time to effect a motor driving movement of substantially 180 and then to release element I58 as just described.

This rotation of the motor shaft I2I drives the mutilated gear I22 from its position as in Fig. 2 to a position 180 displaced therefrom. The gearing provided is such that this rotation is sumcient to reset the register I2 and the printing wheel I4. The transfer of resetting movement to the visual register I2 is efiected through the gear I25 and the shaft I0'I. The transfer of resetting movement to the printin wheels I4 is effected from shaft IN to shaft I08 through gears I40, I and I42. The pick-up connections between the shafts I01 and I08 and the number'wheels thereon may be of known construction.

Upon completion of the resetting movement of the motor I20, the cams I59 and I58, therefore, assume the position shown in Fig. 5. The position of the movable contact I55 in engagement with the stationary contact I54 (Fig. 5) thus conditions the system for registering operation with the loading station corresponding to the button #I which has been pressed.

The button is held in pressed position by the electrc-magnet I90 which is continuously connected in the circuit traceable from the source of power 50 through wires M2, 2 I8 and 255, electromagnet I99, wires 251 and 245, motor I20 and ground 2'46. The resistance of the electromagnet I 99 is designed to be so high, however, that insufficient current will flow through the circuit to drive the motor I20. The electro-magnet I99 thus energized, is capable, nevertheless, of attracting its armature, shown in the drawing as an extension I9'Ia of the pawl I91 on the opposite sideof its pivot, and thereby of forcing the pawl I91 into the recess I96 against the action of the spring I98 so as to hold the button #I in pressed position whenever the button is pressed. When, however, the motor I20 is energized by any of the circuits including either the switch contacts I55, I53 (Fig. 2), or contacts I6I, I62 or manual switch 260, the circuit to the electromagnet I 99 is shorted, resulting in a sufficient decrease in current flowing through magnet I99 for the spring I98 to overcome the pull of the electro-magnet and release the button.

The manual switch 260 interposed between wires H8 and 260 enables an attendant at the machine to print a ticket should an amount less than that for which the machine is set be de sired after an operation has once been started. For example, should the driver decide to take a smaller amount than first requested he may stop delivery by opening switches 41 and 51. The closing of valves 40 and 42, however, wi l not stop delivery at a fraction of a unit, the delivery continuing under control of the synchronizing circuit 8i until the full last unit of measurement 15 passing the meter at the moment of interruption is completed. Thereafter, the ticket may be issued by momentarily closing switch 250 to energize the motor I20.

With the button #I of machine A in the posi tion shown in Fig. 3, the contacts 200, 2", 202, 253 and 204 are closed and the contacts 204 and 200 are open. Theclosed contacts connect machine A to loading station #I and the two open contacts prevent machine B from being connected to the same loadi station. Since the auto-stop register is set for five units in the example being described, the contacts 2" are open so that no current will flow through contacts 200 by way of contacts 305 to the controlling coil 45 of valve 40 when the switches 41 and 51 are closed by the driver or station operator. Current, however, will flow to contacts 20I, 222, 203 and 204 by way of contacts 305 since the contacts I55, I54 (Fig. 5), contacts 2 (register I) and contacts 300 are closed. The circuit of contact MI is thereby completed down to the manual switch 51; the circuit of the contact 202 is complated through wire 232 to the lamps I0 and 240 which are thereby illuminated; the circuit of contacts 203 is completed through wire 233 to the driving motor I4 of the billing machine; and the circuit of contacts 204 is completed through wire 224 to the contacts 235 actuated by cam 64a operated by the meter as above described.

When the driver is ready to accept delivery, after the presetting and selecting steps are completed at the machine as above described, he may do so by actuating the switch button II thereby completing the circuit through contacts to the electro-magnetically controlled valve 42 which is thereupon opened allowing liquid to flow through the meter 30. The cam 64a closes the contacts 235 once during each unit measurement, that is, it will close said contacts five times in the example assumed in this summary during the operation of dispensing five gallons. Closing of contacts 235 will transmit an electrical current through the wire 236 to the relays 01 and II to actuate the clutch 12. As previously described, each actuation of the clutch I2 effects a step in the driving movement to the shaft I5 suillcient to move the number Wheels of the auto-stop register I0, the visual register I2 and the printing wheels I4 one unit registration. When the auto-stop register has been driven sufllciently to return the units wheel 20 from the fifth position to zero, thereby indicating completion of registration of the five units of liquid, for which the machine was preset, the follower 3| is received in the recess 21 of the units wheel cam 2| and the contacts 2II opened and. the contacts 260 closed. The opening of contacts 2 deenergizm the circuit leading to the contacts 20I, 202, 203 and 204. This deenergizes the circuit to the manual switch 51, the circuit to the lamps I5 and 240, the the circuit to the motor I4, and the circuit to the contacts 235. No further registration for this operation is now possible on the billing machine and the registration is completed ready for printing. The valve 42, however, is not immediately closed since the synchronizing circuit BI remains closed until the meter has moved to a position to open the contacts 05. Flow, therefore, will continue through valve 42. When the meter moves to the position where the last unit of the five units being measured is complete, the contacts 05 will be opened by the cam 84 and the coil 40 will be deenergized to close the valve 42. Closure of valve 42 eilects final stoppage oi flow 16 through the meter 20, thus stopp rotation of cam 44 with its. point 51 holding contacts 85 open until flow through the meter again takes place in a succeeding dispensing operation. I

As above stated, upon completion of the resetting movement by the motor I20 the cam I64 will be in the position shown in Fig. 5. In this figure the parts are shown in position for the metering and registering operation. As there shown the rod I4! is urged against the cam I 83 by spring Ill, the element I03 following the rod I" under the pressure of the spring I01 acting upon the switch lever I520. The contacts In and I52 thus are in the closed position.

When, therefore, upon completion of the meterclosed by the auto-stop I0, as above described, a circuit will be completed from the source of power 50 through wires 2I2, 2III and 201, contacts 2", wire 2", contacts IBI, I02 and wire 280 to the motor I20. The motor thereupon is energized to rotate the mutilated gear I22 through an arc of 180 from the position to which it was moved in the resetting operation above described to return it to the position shown in Fig. 2. In the resetting movement the gear I22 is out of engagement with gear I24. In this return rotation of thegear I22, however, this gear drives the ear I24 in the direction of the arrow and thus eflects rotation of the cam I20 and tripping of the hammer IIO to impress the amount indicated by the printing wheels I4 upon paper disposed in the frames H2. The ratio of. the drive may be such that shaft I26 is rotated a full revolution in the 180 return rotation of gear I22. The cam I28 therefore is returned to the position shown in the drawing ready for the next printing operation.

During the continued movement of the gear I24 the mutilated gear I54 is brought into driving engagement with the pinion I35 carried on the shaft II! of the feeding roll H0. The relation oi. these parts is such that gear I34 engages pinion I35 after the cam I28 by its continued rotation has again lifted the hammer IIO clear of the paper. Rotation of roll H8 and its counter roll I I5 efl'ects feed of the paper through the printing frames II2, thereby issuing the printed portion and replenishing the frame with a new ticket portion. The ticket portion thus issued and bearing the record of the amount dispensed may be severed from the strip of paper.

The printing mechanism, of course, may include printing elements other than the wheels I4 to indicate the date, the loading station from which the dispensing operation has taken place and any other data that may be desirable. It is also possible to provide a second set of registering wheels and printing wheels, similar to I2 and I 4, toindicate and to print on the ticket the total cost of the fluid delivered. These costindicating wheels would be driven from shaft through a variable-ratio gear box, the driving ratio being adjustable to accord with the unit price of the fluid being dispensed.

The driving movement of the motor I20 for the printing and issuing of the record as above described moves the cams I59 andISII from the position shown in Fig. 5 which they have held during operation of the meter to the position indicated in Fig. 2. The element I50 thereby is urged by cam I53 inwardly against the stem I50 and the contacts I53 and I55 again are closed by bending of the stem against the element I51. The motor I20 thus is energized through these contacts and would continue to run but the electromagnet I99 becomes shorted by the energization of the motor I20 and releases the button I, thereby releasing the element I51, so that the contact I55 is moved again to contact I54 in the position shown in Fig. 4. This breaks engagement with the contact I53. The motor, however, continues to run until the cam I68 assumes the position of Fig. 4 and urges the rod I65, and the element I63, downwardly to open contacts l6! and I82 against the bias of spring I61, thus opening the circuit to the motor previously established through these contacts and the closed contacts 266. All the circuits of the system thus become deenergized. As the contact I54 now is engaged by contact I55 and connected to the circuit which includes wire 220 and open contacts 2, the apparatus is conditioned for a subsequent operation.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the dispensing apparatus of this invention has particular utility for use in loading yards having a plurality of loading stations. It will also be apparent that many of the features of the invention are useful perse and with apparatus other than the particular dispensing system disclosed. For example, the system and its controls can be used in dispensing or otherwise handling solids on a belt conveyor or in dispensing or handling units of standard size, such as cans and packages; It is recognized, therefore, that manymodiflcations and adaptations of the various features are possible without departing from the invention. It will, therefore, be understood that the forms of the invention herein illustrated and described are intended to be illustrative only and not to limit the scope of the appended claims. y

We claim: v

1. Dispensing apparatus comprising a plurality of registers, a plurality of measuring devices, a set of selective connecting elements for each register, each element of a set being actuatable to connect one of the measuring devices to the register with which the element is associated, means operatively connecting said elements and effective upon actuation of a given element of a set to render the other elements of the same set unactuable until the connection eflected by said actuated element is discontinued, and means operatively connected to said given element when actuated and with the element of another set corresponding to the same measuring device when said other element is unactuated for establish ing the connection to said measuring device of the register with which said given, element is associated and disestablishing said connection upon actuation of said other element.

2. Dispensing apparatus comprising a register, a plurality of measuring devices, selective connecting means operatively connected to said register and said measuring devices and including a plurality of actuatable elements in consecutively adjacent arrangement with respect to each other each operable to connect a corresponding measuring device to said register, a plurality of cam lobes'disposed in a consecutively adjacent arrangement with respect to each other, each of said elements having a portion movable into engagement with two adjacent lobes upon actuation of said element, and means providing limited movement of said cam lobes to efiect interengagement of said lobes and said actuated element so that only one of said elements is actuatable at a time to a selective position between two of said lobes.-

3. Dispensing apparatus comprising an autostop register, means to preset said register, a plurality of measuring devices, a plurality of elements respectively operatively connected to said measuring devices and operatively connected to said register. and respectively actuatable for selectively connecting said register for operation in conjunction with the respective measuring devices, and means responsive to actuation of any of said elements to lock the preset means of said register.

4. Dispensing apparatus comprising a register, a plurality of measuring devices, selective connecting means associated with said register including a plurality of actuatable elements each operable to connect a corresponding measuring device to said register, means operatively connected to said elements and operable upon actuation of any selected element for holding the actuated element in connecting position, means actuated by said selected element and operatively engaging said elements for preventing actuation of any other element while said selected element is held in connecting position, and means operatively connected to said register and to said elements and operable upon completion of the registration by said register for effecting release of said element from said holding means to discontinue connection of said measuring device to said register and to disengage said eleoperatively connected thereto and settable from a an initial position to a position corresponding to the amount to be measured and operated during the registering operation to return to said initial position, means operatively connecting said settable means to said delivery control means in all setting positions of said settable means to control said delivery control means to maintain delivery of said material but disconnecting said settable means from said delivery control means so as to be inefiective to maintain delivery of said material when said settable means is in said initial positon, means actuated by sad measuring device at intervals corresponding to completion of each unit of measurement by said measuring device and connected to said delivery control means and to said settable means so as to be effective when said settable means is in said initial position to operate said and effective when said settable means is in said initial position to deactuate said actuated elements to disconnect said connected register from said measuring device, said means actuated at intervals by said measuring device thereafter operating said delivery means to complete said current unit of measurement and to stop delivery, thereby to complete delivery of said material in full units of measurement as registered by said register.

6. Dispensing apparatus comprising a plurality of registers, a measuring device, a plurality of elements respectively operatively connected to said registers and operatively'connected to said measuring device, said elements being respectively actuatable selectively to connect the respective registers for operation in conjunction with said measuring device for registering the measurement of said measuring device, and means operatively connecting a selecting element of a given register and a selecting element of a second register and cooperating with said elements to maintain connection of said given register to said measuring device while said selecting element oi. said given register remains actuated and said selecting element of said second register remains unactuated, said connecting means cooperating with said elements to disconnect said registers from said measuring device upon actuation of said selecting element of said second register while said selecting element of said given register remains unactuated.

7. Dispensing apparatus comprising a plurality of registers, a measuring device, an element associated with each register and operatively connected thereto and to said measuring device and selectively actuatable conditionally to connect its register to said measuring device for registering the measurement of said measuring deviceupon completion of said connection of said register to said measuring device, means associated with each register and settable from an initial position to a selected position corresponding to the amount to be measured by said measuring device and operatively connected to said register to operate during registering operation to return to said initial position, means actuated by said settable means and cooperating with said actuated element to efiect said conditional connection of said register to said measuring device upon setting of said settable means from said initial position to said selected position, resetting means respectively associated with and operatively connected to said registers and to the respective elements associated therewith and actuated upon actuation of a selected element associated with a given register conditionally connecting said given register to said measuring device for effecting resetting of said given register prior to initiaton oi the dispensing operation, said resetting means of said given register being operatively connected to said means actuated by said settable means associated with said given register so as to complete said connection of said given register to said measuring device upon completion of said resetting operation and to initiate the dispensing operation, and means actuated by said settable means upon return thereof to said initial position to disestablish said operative connection of said given register to said measuring device.

8. Dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 7 which comprises means operated by said settable means upon return thereof to said initial position for recording the registration by said register of the said measurement effected by said measuring device.

9. Dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 7 which comprises means actuated by said settable meansupon return thereof to said initial position for effecting release of said actuated ele- Mint.

10. Dspensing apparatus comprising a plurality oi registers, a measuring device, an element associated with each register and operatively connected thereto and to said measuring device and selectively actuatable to connect its register to said measuring device for registering the measurement of said measuring device, energizable means associated with each register and operatively connected thereto and to said measuring device and capable upon being energized of efiecting registering operation 0! the register associated therewith in accordance with measuring operation of said measuring device, the element associated with a given register being operatively connected to said energizable means associated with said given register and being operatively connected to the element associated with another register, for effecting energization of said energizable means associated with said given register upon actuation of said element associated with said given register when said element associated with said other register is in unactuated condition, said operative connections between said elements associated with said registers and said energizable means being adapted when said element associated with said given register is maintained in actuated condition to eflfect deenergizaton of said energizable means associated with said given register upon actuation of said element associated with said other register which normally would connect said other register to said measuring device.

11. Dispensing apparatus comprising a plurality of registers, a measuring device, elements respectively associated with said registers and separately actuatable to and from positions for connecting the respective registers to said measuring device, an electrical circuit including contacts actuated by said registers and contacts actuated by the respective elements associated therewith, said circuit having connected therein a plurality of electrical means respectively operatively connected to said registers and energizable to effect operation of the respective registers, certain of the contacts actuated by said elements of the respective registers upon actuation of a selected element to connect a selected register to said measuring device being connected in said circuit with other contacts of the elements respectively associated with the other registers when unactuated and being connected to said electrically energizable means of said selected register to effect operation thereof, said contacts of said unactuated elements being connected in said circuit so as to deenergize said electrically energizable means upon actuation of any initiially unactuated element.

12. Dispensing apparatus comprising a plurality of registers, a measuring device, an element associated with each register and operatively connected thereto and to said measuring device and selectively actuatable to connect its register to said measuring device for registering themeasurement of said measuring device, each element being operatively connected to and effective upon actuation thereof to close an electrical contact and open another electrical contact, said contacts respectively being opened and closed upon deactuation of said element, electrically energizable means associated with each register and operatively connected thereto and to said measuring device and energizable to effect registering operation of the register associated therewith in accordance with measuring operation assaus 21 said measuring device, and an electrical circuit associated with each register and including said energizable means associated with said register, each circuit including a contact of an element of a given register which is closed upon actuation of said element or said given register and a contact of an element of another register which is opened upon actuation of the element of said other register, said contacts being connected in said circuit so that upon actuation of said element 01 said given register with said element of said other register unactuated the circuit is completed to said electrically energizable means to energize said energisable means to eiiect said registering operation by said given register of the measurement by said measuring device and is interrupted upon actuation of said element of said other register, whereby only said given register may be connected to said measuring device to eilfect registering operation by said given register oi the measurement by said measuring device.

13. Dispensing apparatus comprising a plurality of registers, a measuring device, electrically energizable delivery means connected to said measuring device and energizable to effect delivery of material to be measured through said measuring device for measuring operation of said measuring device, an element associated with each register and operatively connected thereto and selectively actuatable to connect its register to said measuring device to register the measurement of said measuring device an electrical contact associated with each element 9peratively connected thereto to be, closed upon actuation of said element, a second electrical contact associated with each element operatively connected thereto to be opened upon actuation of said element, said contacts respectively being opened and closed by deactuation oi the elements with which they respectively are associated, and an electrical circuit connecting said electrical energizable delivery means and a contact closed upon actuation of an element associated with a selected register and a contact closed upon deactuation of an element associated with a second register, said circuit being established so that upon actuation of, said element or said selected register the circuit to said electrically energizable delivery means is completed to energize said delivery means to eifect said delivery oi material to be measured and is interrupted upon actuation of said second element so as to stop said delivery.

14. Dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 12 in which said registers each are presettable to an amount to be dispensed, and contacts respectively associated with and actuated by said presettable re isters to closed and open positions respectively upon setting than! and upon completion oi the registering operation thereof. said register actuated contacts being connected in the respective circuits which include said contacts of the elements respectively associated with said registers to eifect energization of said electrically energizable means concomitantly with initiation of the registering operation and to deenergize said electrically energizable means upon completion of said registering operation.

15. Dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 12 in which said registers each are presettable to an amount to be dispensed, contacts respectively associated with and actuated by said presettable registers to closed and open positions respectviely upon setting thereof and upon completion of the registering operation thereof, said register actuated contacts being connected in the respective circuits which include said contacts of the elements respectively associated with said registers to eilect energization of said electrically energizable means concomitantly with initiation of the registering operation and to deenergize said electrically energizable means upon completion of said registering operation, and means respectively actuated by said presettable registers and operatively connected to the respective elements or said registers and eflective upon completion 01' said registering operation thereof for deactuating said actuated element.

16. Dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 13 in which said registers each are presettable to an amount to be'dispensed, and contacts respectively associated with and actuated by said presettable registers to closed and open positions respectively upon setting thereof and upon completion of the registering operation thereof, said register actuated contacts being connected in the respective circuits which include said contacts of the elements respectively associated with said registers to eflect energization of said electrically energizable delivery means concomitantly with initiation of the registering operation and to deenergize said electrically energizable means upon completion of said registering operation.

CHARLES S. HAZARD. JOHNSON SHIPMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

